Recessing Seat Back Cushion for Backpack Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat designs fail to accommodate equipment such as backpacks while maintaining adequate support for the occupant, as existing systems do not efficiently adjust to accommodate varying loads and equipment without compromising comfort and support.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a cushion support mechanism that includes a moveable back cushion and a stationary back cushion, where the moveable cushion can be actuated to recess into the stationary cushion, allowing the seat to adapt to different loads and accommodate equipment by adjusting its position between two positions, ensuring continuous support for the occupant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat back cushion is made stationary and fixed, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to accommodate equipment like backpacks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The back cushion is divided into two independent parts: a stationary back cushion attached to the back frame and a moveable back cushion that can slide relative to it. This segmentation allows the moveable portion to be adjusted for equipment accommodation while the stationary portion maintains structural simplicity and provides continuous support.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable back cushion is designed to slide between different positions along the back frame using a cushion support mechanism with rollers. This dynamic capability enables the cushion to adapt to varying needs (with or without equipment) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through guided linear motion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the moveable back cushion is completely removed from the opening, then equipment accommodation is maximized, but occupant support is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable back cushion is designed to partially overlap with the stationary back cushion even when retracted. This partial action ensures that some portion of the cushioning surface remains available to support the occupant's back, preventing complete loss of support while maximizing space for equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable back cushion is positioned within an opening of the stationary back cushion, creating a nested arrangement. When retracted, the moveable cushion remains partially within the stationary cushion's boundary, ensuring continuous support surface while allowing equipment to occupy the recessed space.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cushion support mechanism is made complex with multiple actuators, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion support mechanism uses gravity and friction between the rollers and the back frame to maintain positioning. The moveable back cushion can be held at various positions without active actuators, as the system self-regulates through mechanical contact and gravitational force, eliminating the need for complex motorized control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Rollers serve as intermediary elements between the moveable back cushion and the back frame. These rollers facilitate smooth movement and positioning while reducing friction and wear, achieving precise positioning through simple mechanical interaction rather than complex actuation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat back assembly includes a back frame and an adjustable support mounted to the back frame. The adjustable support moves between a first position and a second position with respect to the back frame. A stationary back cushion is mounted to the back frame and defines an opening sized to receive the adjustable support. When the adjustable support is in the opening, both the adjustable support and the stationary back cushion provide support surfaces for the back of an occupant of the seat. When the adjustable support is moved toward the second position to at least partially remove the adjustable support from the opening, the opening accommodates equipment of an occupant of the seat.